Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate Harper reportedly being investigated

Art Bedway facing charges over city contract with Alpha Outfitters

Police Chief Nate Harper returned to work Monday after taking time off to tend to his mother's affairs after her recent death, a police spokeswoman said.

Last week, Deputy Chief Paul Donaldson emailed the Pittsburgh Police Bureau to let everyone know he was the acting chief in Harper's absence.

Separately, the U.S. Attorney's Office has not commented about a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review report that Harper is under investigation by a federal grand jury, and that it's related to the prosecution of Art Bedway, owner of Carnegie-based Victory Security. The Bedway investigation was first exposed two years ago by WTAE investigative reporter Jim Parsons.

In 2008, Channel 4 Action News began an investigation into Bedway and Christine Kebr, a former systems analyst for the city of Pittsburgh -- both of whom are now facing federal charges that they created a shell company called Alpha Outfitters to get a city contract for installing laptop computers and light bars in city emergency vehicles.

Lee Lyons, a former Alpha and Victory employee, testified before an Allegheny County grand jury that was investigating in 2010. He said he told the court that Bedway made Alpha Outfitters look like a female-owned company by installing his secretary as president.

When Parsons asked Lyons about the relationship between Bedway and Harper, he replied, "Oh, they're personal friends. I know they are personal friends. I've seen him (Harper) other places with Art."

Harper doesn't deny that. In fact, Bedway was seen standing directly behind him when Harper was sworn in as the police chief. Harper's wife later worked for Victory Security as a consultant.

But Harper does deny helping Bedway. In 2010, when Parsons asked Harper if he ever had a financial interest in Alpha, Victory or any Bedway company, he answered, "No." His answer was the same when Parsons asked if he played any role in Alpha getting the city contract.

Lyons attended meetings on the creation of Alpha Outfitters -- meetings which he said Kebr also attended -- and he said he never saw Harper there. He said, "No," when Parsons asked him if he ever saw Harper around Victory Security.

Harper told Parsons that, at one point, he had to scold Bedway to stop telling people that Bedway was installing car radios and laptop computers for the police chief.

In November, Harper said in a written statement: "I did not help Art Bedway in any way obtain the city contract for his company, and I have not testified before any grand jury."

A court document filed by Bedway's lawyer earlier this month indicates that Bedway may be cooperating with federal prosecutors. It says he is trying to work out a resolution with the government.